Bryant’s 31 leads Lakers past Grizzlies

By KEN PETERS, AP Sports Writer Mar 4, 2:19 am EST

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LOS ANGELES (AP)—Two was the limit, Kobe Bryant decided.

The Lakers halted their mini-slump at two losses in a row with a front-running 99-89 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, allowing Los Angeles to avoid its first three-game skid of the season.

“The focus was just about coming out and playing the right way and winning the game. You don’t want to compound mistakes or add to losses—two was enough,” said Bryant, who scored 31 points and sat out the fourth quarter while mostly reserves finished up.

Memphis, 3-24 on the road, kept it relatively close until the Lakers pulled away from a 54-51 lead early in the third quarter. They were up 78-67 by the end of the period and remained comfortably ahead in the fourth quarter.

Lakers center Pau Gasol, matched in the middle against younger brother Marc, had 13 points and eight rebounds. Derek Fisher added 11 points for Los Angeles.

Lamar Odom was only 1-of-8 from the floor and scored just two points for Los Angeles, but posted some other impressive numbers: 13 rebounds, eight assists and six blocks.

Bryant said that just illustrates Odom’s versatility.

“That’s what he does well for us and that’s what we need from him. He does a lot of the intangibles, and some of the stuff he does doesn’t even show up in the box score,” Bryant said. “He’s been playing extremely well.”

Marc Gasol, four years younger than the 28-year-old Pau, outdid his brother, scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds for Memphis.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson noticed Pau has some difficulty against his sibling.

“Yes, he does. It’s good,” Jackson said with a smile. “Good for Pau. Good for Marc, too.”

Memphis coach Lionel Hollins mentioned the Grizzlies’ lack of fast breaks and offensive rebounds, but praised their effort and Marc Gasol’s performance in particular.

“Marc came to battle. He had a sibling rival and he met the challenge. He battled Pau, beat him up a little bit,” Hollins said. “But the Lakers won the game.”

Even so, Hollins seemed proud, saying, “This (the Lakers) is one of the three best teams in the NBA. For us to come in here and be only down five at halftime and be in the game down the stretch … it would have taken a miracle. We would have had to play a perfect game to win.”

Rookie O.J. Mayo, playing the Lakers in Los Angeles for the first time after leaving USC at the end of his freshman season, added 17 points for the Grizzlies.

Los Angeles was up by 15 early in the second quarter, but the Grizzlies chipped away and closed to within 52-47 on Marc Gasol’s two free throws after his brother fouled him 4 seconds before halftime.

Bryant had 19 points by halftime, but was the lone Laker in double figures. Marc Gasol had 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists for Memphis by the break.

With the Lakers trailing 17-16 with five minutes left in the first quarter, Bryant pulled up and made an 11-footer, fed Pau Gasol for a dunk, hit a 16-footer, then added a 3. That ignited Los Angeles, and the Lakers went on to finish a 16-2 string that put them up 32-19 at the end of the period.

The Grizzlies are 1-21 this season in games when they’ve failed to score at last 20 points in the first quarter.

Notes

Los Angeles was coming off a 118-111 loss at Phoenix that followed a 90-79 defeat at Denver. … The Lakers last lost three straight Jan. 23-27 of last year. … The Grizzlies announced that C Chris Mihm underwent surgery on his right ankle, with no timetable for his return. Memphis acquired him from the Lakers on Feb. 18, and he yet to play a game for the Grizzlies.

Updated Mar 4, 2:19 am EST
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30 Comments

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  1. <i>bjq_133</i>
    30. Posted by bjq_133 Sat Mar 7 11:49am EST

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    lakers will get the championship trophy
  2. LAL24
    29. Posted by LAL24 Wed Mar 4 4:46pm EST

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    to shadows, when the lakers are down in the fourth who do they call on? and who answers? Thank you very much
  3. bubbie21
    28. Posted by bubbie21 Wed Mar 4 2:51pm EST

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    to the last blogger:pinekoan.........i love ya but u know and the whole world know that we love haters because u know we r the best team in the entire league and u will eat yo words when we raised the obrien trophy in june...thank u very much pimpin'
  4. <i>pinekoan</i>
    27. Posted by pinekoan Wed Mar 4 2:24pm EST

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    kobe sucks. total ball hog. terrible teammate
  5. herman
    26. Posted by herman Wed Mar 4 1:12pm EST

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    Lakers will take the ring,kobe the mvp,and the rest they wont remember,so bring the noice............
  6. Shadows
    25. Posted by Shadows Wed Mar 4 11:39am EST

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    Does anyone ever notice that when Kobe is at the bench, the Lakers pull away from their opponents and when Jackson puts him back in, the big lead dwindles. Why? Because he does not make plays. He will shoot and shoot even though none of his team mates are under the basket for the rebound. Kobe is a talented player but he is not smart like Pau Gasol, Dwayne Wade or Deron Williams.
    Shaq is right, Kobe can't do it without him. I don't think the Lakers would have made it to the finals if they didn't acquire Gasol from Memphis.
    As mush as I would like the Lakers to win another NBA title, I have to go with Shaq and say Kobe can't do it without him.
  7. muelos2001
    24. Posted by muelos2001 Wed Mar 4 9:54am EST

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    Laker's bench is significantly weaker with the departure of Radmanovic. They have lost a certain quantum of "intangible" force which Walton does not provide. Just look at how the Charlotte Bobacats have been winning since Radmanovic arrived - even without their top players. Lakers are still good, but I think they will fall to San Antonio or Houston in the playoffs. A healthy New Orleans team would probably beat them too.
  8. LUZVI
    23. Posted by LUZVI Wed Mar 4 5:08am EST

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    Go go go kobe! smash them all....
  9. Laker Baller
    22. Posted by Laker Baller Wed Mar 4 4:40am EST

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    Let's go lakerssssss.. beat them all. ;-)

    go go go kobe "mvp"
  10. ben
    21. Posted by ben Wed Mar 4 4:02am EST

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    marbury + moore
  11. <i>jdizzle157</i>
    20. Posted by jdizzle157 Wed Mar 4 3:52am EST

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    That right lakers all the way!!!!!!!
    kobe for mvp!!!!!!!
    lakers goin to be champs this year!!!!!
  12. Edrian S
    19. Posted by Edrian S Wed Mar 4 3:38am EST

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    kobe bryant...idol! jersey number 24. LA is certainly the 2008-2009 NBA season champion.
  13. Lost Angeles Lamers
    18. Posted by Lost Angeles Lamers Wed Mar 4 3:38am EST

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    Go Go Cow Bee Dry Ant!!!! M Bee Pee!!!!
  14. froy
    17. Posted by froy Wed Mar 4 3:20am EST

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    still,,, kobe was the MVP... Back2back!!!
  15. Lost Angeles Lamers
    16. Posted by Lost Angeles Lamers Wed Mar 4 3:08am EST

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    Go Lamers!!! I mean Lakers :)
  16. Junie C
    15. Posted by Junie C Wed Mar 4 2:49am EST

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    Mabuhay ang Lakers, mabuhay si Kobe!!!
  17. SeanO
    14. Posted by SeanO Wed Mar 4 2:47am EST

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    Was at this game, everyone LOVED Mbenga, he was the man!
  18. Rafael
    13. Posted by Rafael Wed Mar 4 2:46am EST

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    Lakers all d way!!!!!!!!!!!! Kobe back 2 back MVP!!!
  19. Rafael
    12. Posted by Rafael Wed Mar 4 2:28am EST

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    Lakers all d way!!!!!!!!!!!! Kobe back 2 back MVP!!!
  20. kobe24
    11. Posted by kobe24 Wed Mar 4 2:01am EST

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    o yeah!! kobe baby!!
  21. jul
    10. Posted by jul Wed Mar 4 1:56am EST

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    kobe= MVP
    laker= 2008-09 NBA Champions
    GO LAKERS!
  22. tview
    9. Posted by tview Wed Mar 4 1:33am EST

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    This year is it. We've paid our dues. Let's avoid major injuries and go do this thing. Bring on "the King". If he can find his way pass the three stooges.
  23. Vic
    8. Posted by Vic Wed Mar 4 1:21am EST

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    Lakers the best...go lakers go!
  24. Vic
    7. Posted by Vic Wed Mar 4 1:19am EST

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    Lakers the best...go lakers go!
  25. T-g3r
    6. Posted by T-g3r Wed Mar 4 1:14am EST

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    lakers heaters come-out where ever you are...hahahaha
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Memphis
M. Gasol Marc Gasol
5-7,  17 Pts
14 Rebs, 4 Assists
 LA Lakers
K. Bryant Kobe Bryant
12-23,  31 Pts
2 Rebs, 2 Assists

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